Information Processing Apparatus, and Input Control Method and Program of  Information Processing Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for modifying an input area, comprising a memory and a processor executing instructions stored in the memory. The processor executes instructions stored in the memory to display a first input area on a device. The processor further executes instructions stored in the memory to detect a user input in a second input area. The processor still further executes instructions stored in the memory to perform, if the user input comprises a first operation, an input function; and modify, if the user input comprises a second operation, the first input area.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-232240 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Oct. 15, 2010, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus,and an input control method and program of the information processingapparatus.

In recent years, electronic devices using touch panels or touch pads toperform an input operation have been widely used. Examples of theelectronic devices include mobile phones, personal digital assistants,personal computers and car navigation systems.

For example, JP 2006-236988A discloses a capacitive touch panel. If anoperator performs a stylus operation or a tap operation with his or herfinger on a touch screen of this kind of device, the device detects thestylus or touch position of the operator's finger and selects or inputsa menu button or a key of a software keyboard at the detected touchposition.

SUMMARY

In general, a touch screen includes an input candidate area for an inputcandidate, such as a suggested word candidate expected from enteredcharacters or context or a corrected word candidate estimated frommistakenly entered characters, in addition to a keyboard area (i.e., aninput operation area) where such a software keyboard as a QWERTYkeyboard is arranged. The input candidate is typically displayed on anupper side of the keyboard area. In this case, an operator may need toselect an input candidate by means of, for example, a tap operation inan area other than the keyboard area while inputting characters by meansof, for example, a tap operation in the keyboard area.

In general, the keyboard area is designed to take up most of a space foran operator's finger to be moved as easily as possible. This causes theoperator performing an input operation to carry a heavy burden when theoperator moves his or her finger to an area other than the keyboard areato select an input candidate. In order to allow the operator to easilyselect the input candidate, the input candidate may be placed in an areafor the operator's finger to be moved as easily as possible by makingthe keyboard area smaller. In this case, however, since each button oreach key in the keyboard area also needs to be made smaller accordingly,the operator makes frequent mistakes in pressing each button or each keyand has difficulties inputting each button or each key correctly.

To deal with this problem, there is a need for an information processingapparatus and an input control method and program of the informationprocessing apparatus, enabling the operator to easily select the inputcandidate without laying a burden on the operator performing the inputoperation by providing an appropriate size of input operation area inthe touch screen.

Accordingly, there is provided an apparatus for modifying an input area,comprising a memory and a processor executing instructions stored in thememory. The processor executes instructions stored in the memory todisplay a first input area on a device. The processor further executesinstructions stored in the memory to detect a user input in a secondinput area. The processor still further executes instructions stored inthe memory to perform, if the user input comprises a first operation, aninput function; and modify, if the user input comprises a secondoperation, the first input area.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method for modifying an inputarea. The method comprises displaying a first input area. The methodfurther comprises detecting a user input in a second input area. Themethod still further comprises performing, if the user input comprises afirst operation, an input function; and modifying, if the user inputcomprises a second operation, the first input area.

In a third aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, performa method of modifying an input area. The method comprises displaying afirst input area. The method further comprises detecting a user input ina second input area. The method still further comprises performing, ifthe user input comprises a first operation, an input function; andmodifying, if the user input comprises a second operation, the firstinput area.

As described above, according to the present technology, it is possibleto easily select an input candidate without laying a burden on anoperator performing an input operation by providing an appropriate sizeof input operation area in a touch screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating operation example 1 for a softwarekeyboard of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating operation example 2 for a softwarekeyboard of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating operation example 3 for a softwarekeyboard of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device accordingto the first and third embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an input control process accordingto the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a transition view of a display screen corresponding to aninput control according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an input control process accordingto modified example 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a transition view of a display screen corresponding to aninput control according to the modified example 1 of the firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device accordingto a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an input control process accordingto the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a transition view of a display screen corresponding to aninput control according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an input control process accordingto modified example 2 of the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a transition view of a display screen corresponding to aninput control according to the modified example 2 of the secondembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an input control process accordingto a third embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a transition view of a display screen corresponding to aninput control according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in thisspecification and the appended drawings, structural elements that havesubstantially the same function and structure are denoted with the samereference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structuralelements is omitted.

The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in thefollowing order:

<Initially>

[Operation example 1 of a software keyboard of an electronic device]

[Operation example 2 of a software keyboard of an electronic device]

[Operation example 3 of a software keyboard of an electronic device]

<First embodiment>

-   -   [1-1. Functional structure of an electronic device]    -   [1-2. Operation of an electronic device]        -   (Input control process)    -   [1-3. Modified example 1]        -   (Input control process)

<Second embodiment>

-   -   [2-1. Functional structure of an electronic device]    -   [2-2. Operation of an electronic device]        -   (Input control process)    -   [2-3. Modified example 2]        -   (Input control process)

<Third embodiment>

-   -   -   [3-1. Operation of an electronic device]            -   (Input control process)

Initially

The operation examples 1 to 3 of a software keyboard in a touch panel ortouch pad will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3,respectively, using three types of electronic devices according to thefirst to third embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS.1 to 3, an electronic device 10 includes a touch panel (not shown) and atouch screen 10 a which is provided on the rear side of the touch panel.The electronic device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is an example of aninformation processing apparatus which allows an operator to perform aninput operation (i.e., user input) through a touch on the touch screen10 a. The electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of aninformation processing apparatus which allows an operator to perform aninput operation through a touch or press on the touch screen 10 a.Examples of the information processing apparatus may include personalcomputers (PCs), mobile phones, smart phones, handheld music players,personal digital assistants (PDAs), game machines or digital electricalappliances.

Examples of the touch screen 10 a may include a liquid crystal display(LCD) and an organic electroluminescence display (OELD).

OPERATION EXAMPLE 1 OF A SOFTWARE KEYBOARD OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Initially, the operation example 1 of a software keyboard will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the touch screen 10 a ofthe electronic device 10 includes an input operation area, an inputcandidate area, and an input display area, which are arranged in thisorder from the bottom of the screen. In the input operation area, thereis a software keyboard, such as a QWERTY keyboard. In the inputcandidate area, there are input candidates (i.e., objects), such assuggested word candidates expected from entered characters or context orcorrected word candidates estimated from mistakenly entered characters.In the input display area, a character or context entered through theinput operation is displayed.

In the operation example 1 of a software keyboard, an operator performsa tap operation within the input operation area. For example, a touchpanel (not shown) of the touch screen 10 a is of a capacitive type anddetects a touch position of the operator's finger (i.e., an operatingmember). Based on the detected touch position, a key (i.e., an object)at the detected touch position is input. In FIG. 1, if the operator'sfinger touches a key ‘e’ on the software keyboard, the character ‘e’ isentered and displayed (i.e., an input function is performed) in theinput display area. This tap operation is a pattern of reference inputoperation (key input operation) in the input operation area, which isreferred to as ‘pattern a’.

The key input is performed through a finger touch on the screen in FIG.1, but is not limited to this operation. That is, like a remote controlof a personal computer or a television, the key input may be performedby a remote-controlled tap input when the touch pad and the displayscreen are positioned at a distant location. In this case, the touch padmay detect the operator's finger located in close proximity.Accordingly, by displaying a position of the detected adjacent finger onthe display screen with a cursor, a point may be selected by the tapinput.

OPERATION EXAMPLE 2 OF A SOFTWARE KEYBOARD OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Next, the operation example 2 of a software keyboard will be describedwith reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the touch screen 10 a of theelectronic device 10 also includes an input operation area, an inputcandidate area, and an input display area, which are arranged in thisorder from the bottom of the screen.

In the operation example 2 of a software keyboard, the operator performsa press operation within the input operation area. A pressure sensor(not shown) is provided directly beneath the touch screen 10 a. Thepressure sensor includes a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber. Theoperator touches or presses the input operation area of the touch screen10 a with his or her finger to correspond to the software keyboarddisplayed on the touch screen 10 a. The touch panel detects a positionof the finger touched on the touch screen 10 a. Further, if thepressure-sensitive conductive rubber is deformed due to the pressure ofthe finger on the touch screen 10 a, the pressure sensor detects thepressure by sensing conduction of the deformed part, thereby performingthe input of the pressed key. For example, referring to FIG. 2, when theoperator's finger is touched on a key ‘e’ of the software keyboard, thecharacter ‘e’ is popped up. Subsequently, when the operator's fingerfurther presses down on the key, the character ‘e’ is entered anddisplayed in the input display area. This one-point press operation is apattern of reference input operation (key input operation) in the inputoperation area, which is referred to as ‘pattern b’.

Also in this operation example 2, the key input may be performed by boththe input operation by means of a touch on the screen and the inputoperation by means of a remote control. Further, instead of directlydetecting a pressure applied on the touch screen 10 a as describedabove, the pressure may be detected by a hard switch provided directlybeneath the touch panel or touch pad.

OPERATION EXAMPLE 3 OF A SOFTWARE KEYBOARD OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Next, the operation example 3 of a software keyboard will be describedwith reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, like an operation in a typical notePC, by operating a mouse cursor on the display screen (input displayarea) using the touch pad 10 b in the input operation area and pressinga button 10 c in the input operation area, a character pointed by thecursor is input.

In FIG. 3, a touch position of the operator's finger on the touch pad 10b of the touch screen 10 a is detected. Based on the detection result,the mouse cursor is moved to a corresponding position ‘e’ on thesoftware keyboard. In this case, when the operator's another fingerpresses the button 10 c with the mouse cursor placed on the key ‘e’, thekey ‘e’ is input and the character ‘e’ is displayed in the input displayarea. Such a series of tap and button-press operations is a pattern ofreference input operation (key input operation) in the input operationarea, which is referred to as ‘pattern c’.

As can be seen from the examples of the electronic device 10 in FIGS. 1to 3, the input candidate area is typically provided apart from theinput operation area on the touch screen. Accordingly, while performinga typical input operation in the input operation area, the operatorselects an input candidate by moving the operator's finger or the cursorto the input candidate area located apart from the input operation areaand performing a tap operation, for example. In this manner, theoperator frequently moves his or her fingers or the cursor between theinput operation area and the input candidate area while performing theinput operation. The input operation area takes up most of a space forthe operator's finger to be moved as easily as possible. This causes theoperator selecting an input candidate to carry a heavy burden since theoperator has to move his or her finger to the input candidate area whereit is difficult for the operator's finger to be easily moved.

Next, an input control method will be described, which enables anoperator to easily select an input candidate without laying a burden onthe operator performing an input operation by providing an appropriatesize of input operation area in a touch screen 10 a using an electronicdevice 10 according to first to third embodiments.

First Embodiment 1-1. FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Firstly, a functional structure of an electronic device 10 according toa first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Next, aninput control method using the electronic device 10 according to thefirst embodiment will be described.

The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment includes aposition detector 100, an input controller 110, and a display controller120. The position detector 100 detects an input operation in an inputoperation area based on a touch position of an operator's finger on thetouch panel 130 of the touch screen 10 a. The position detector 100 isan example of a detector which detects an input operation in the inputoperation area of the touch screen.

The input controller 110 performs an input control in an area other thanthe input operation area when a particular operation other than areference input operation in the input operation area is detected. Morespecifically, when the particular operation is detected, the inputcontroller 110 performs control of an input candidate displayed in anarea other than the input operation area.

The display controller 120 performs a display control on the displayscreen 10 a. For example, the display controller 120 displays a desiredinput character (i.e., an image) in the input display area of thedisplay screen 10 a under the input control of the input controller 110.For example, when the operator's finger touches the display screen 10 a,the display controller 120 may be configured to pop up a character ‘e’at the touch position and, at the same time, to display the character‘e’ in the input display area, as shown in FIG. 1. For another example,in performing the press operation of the operator's finger, the displaycontroller 120 may be configured to reverse the pop up of the character‘e’ at the pressed position and, at the same time, to display thecharacter ‘e’ in the input display area, as shown in the bottom of FIG.2. In addition, the display controller 120 may change a screen displaydepending on the finger's operation.

The electronic device 10 according to the first to third embodimentsincludes a CPU, or processor, 90, a RAM 92 and a non-volatile memory 94.Each of the functions of the electronic device 10 is performed by theCPU. The CPU controls the input operation in the electronic device 10based on the touch position or pressure of the operator's finger whichis stored in the RAM and so on. Device 10 may also include a port, ordrive, 96 to receive computer-readable media, such as USB stick 98 ordisk. CPU 90 may execute instructions stored in RAM 92 and/ornon-volatile memory 94 to perform the functions described herein. Theinstructions may be read from instructions stored on USB stick 98.

1-2. OPERATION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

(Input Control Process)

When a particular operation other than the reference input operation(‘pattern a’) is performed in the input operation area, the electronicdevice 10 according to the present embodiment determines the particularoperation as being a selection operation of an input candidate displayedin the input candidate area and performs an input control accordingly.The input control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and6. FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an input control processaccording to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a transition view of adisplay screen corresponding to an input control according to thepresent embodiment.

The input control process will be described with reference to FIG. 5.Initially, at step S505, the input controller 110 determines whether ornot an operation is performed in the input operation area based on atouch position detected by the position detector 100. If no operation isdetermined to be performed in the input operation area, the step S505 isrepeated. If an operation is determined to be performed in the inputoperation area, the input controller 110 determines at step S510 whetheror not the operation in the input operation area is a tap operation. Ifthe operation is determined to be a tap operation, at step S515, theinput controller 110 inputs a key located at the touch position of thetouch screen 10 a. In the left of FIG. 6, the operator's finger performsa tap operation in the input operation area to enter a key ‘e’ at thetouch position. As a result, the character ‘e’ is displayed in the inputdisplay area. The above-mentioned operation is the ‘pattern a’ ofreference input operation (key input operation) in the input operationarea.

If the tap operation is determined to be not performed at step S510, theinput controller 110 determines at step S520 whether or not theoperation in the input operation area is a flick operation. If a flickoperation is determined to be not performed, the process returns to thestep S505 and restarts from the step S505.

If a flick operation is determined to be performed at step S520, it isconsidered that an input candidate is intended to be selected. In thiscase, the process proceeds to the step S525 where the input controller110 highlights (i.e., modifies) a leading input candidate to indicatethat the leading input candidate is selected. Referring to the middle ofFIG. 6, when the operator's finger does a right flick in the inputoperation area, a leading input candidate, ‘email’, in the inputcandidate area is highlighted to indicate that the leading inputcandidate ‘email’ is selected.

Next, at step S530, it is determined whether or not a reverse-flickoperation is performed. If a reverse-flick operation is determined to beperformed, at step S535, the input controller 110 releases the selectionof the input candidate and terminates the highlight sign of the inputcandidate. The process then returns to the step S505 and restarts fromthe step S505.

If a reverse-flick operation is determined to be not performed, theinput controller 110 determines at step S540 whether or not a tapoperation is performed in the input operation area. If a tap operationis determined to be not performed, the process returns to the step S520where it is determined whether or not a flick operation is performed inthe input operation area. If a flick operation is determined to befurther performed, the process proceeds to the step S525 where a nextinput candidate located next to the leading input candidate in the flickdirection is selected in the input candidate area. Referring to theright of FIG. 6, since the operator's finger does a further right flickin the input operation area, a next input candidate, ‘event’, which isthe second from the leading input candidate in the flick direction, ishighlighted in the input candidate area to indicate that the next inputcandidate ‘event’ is selected.

Next, if a reverse-flick operation is determined to be not performed atthe step S530 and a tap operation is determined to be performed at thestep S540, the input controller 110 determines at step S545 that thecurrently selected input candidate is expected to be input. In thiscase, the input controller 110 inputs and displays the selected inputcandidate in the input display area. At step S550, the input controller110 inputs and displays a character corresponding to the tapped key inthe input display area. Referring to the right of FIG. 6, since theoperator's finger does a right flick and then does a tap operation at akey ‘U’ in the input operation area, the input candidate ‘event’, whichis the second from the leading input candidate in the input candidatearea, and the character ‘U’ are consecutively input and displayed in theinput display area.

In the input control method according to the present embodiment, if aflick operation is detected by the position detector 100, it isdetermined that a particular operation is performed. In this case, aselection position of an input candidate displayed in an area other thanthe input operation area is moved according to the flick operation.Accordingly, the operator may select an input candidate while placinghis or her fingers in the input operation area where the operator'sfinger can easily be moved. As a result, it is possible to easily selectthe input candidate without laying a burden on the operator performingthe input operation by providing an appropriate size of input operationarea in the touch screen 10 a.

In addition, if a left-flick operation is determined to be performed atstep S520, the input controller 110 may be configured to move ahighlight sign to an earlier-numbered input candidate which is providedto the left in the input candidate area. If a left-flick operation isperformed with a first input candidate selected, the input controller110 may release the highlight sign of the first input candidate toterminate the selection of the first input candidate or may highlightthe last input candidate. Display of a selection range of inputcandidates is automatically changed so that input candidates prior toand subsequent to a highlighted input candidate may be displayed.

In addition, the input controller 110 may cancel the selection of aninput candidate if the detected operation is determined as being arelease operation of the operator's finger.

1-3. MODIFIED EXAMPLE 1

(Input Control Process)

Modified example 1 of the first embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an inputcontrol process according to the modified example 1 of the firstembodiment. FIG. 8 is a transition view of a display screencorresponding to an input control according to the modified example 1 ofthe first embodiment.

The input control process of FIG. 7 is almost the same as the inputcontrol process according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5,except that the input control process according to the first embodimentincludes the step S525 where a selection position of an input candidateis moved depending on the direction and frequency of a flick operation,while the modified example 1 includes a step where a selection positionof an input candidate is moved depending on the direction and length ofa flick operation. More specifically, the modified example 1 includesstep S705 of FIG. 7 instead of the step S525 of FIG. 5 in the firstembodiment, where a desired input candidate is selected in an inputcandidate area after passing one or more input candidates depending onthe length of a flick.

For example, while a tap operation is performed as a reference inputoperation as shown in the left of FIG. 8, a flick operation is performedas shown in the middle of FIG. 8. In this case, when an operator'sfinger does a right flick in the input operation area, a leading inputcandidate, ‘email’, is highlighted in the input candidate area toindicate that the leading input candidate ‘email’ is selected. Further,when the operator drags his or her finger to the lower-right directionalong the arrow line shown in the right of FIG. 8, a desired inputcandidate is selected in the input candidate area according to the dragoperation after passing a plurality of input candidates in the inputcandidate area along the broken arrow line shown in the right of FIG. 8.As a result, in FIG. 8, an input candidate, ‘edy’, located at thelower-right side from the leading input candidate in the input candidatearea is highlighted to indicate that the input candidate ‘edy’ isselected.

As such, in the input control method according to the modified example1, a particular operation in the input operation area is assigned to anoperation in the input candidate area. Accordingly, the operator mayselect a desired input candidate while placing his or her fingers in theinput operation area where the operator can easily move his or herfingers. As a result, it is possible to easily select a desired inputcandidate without laying a burden on the operator performing an inputoperation by providing an appropriate size of input operation area inthe touch screen 10 a.

Second Embodiment 2-1. FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

The functional structure of the electronic device 10 according to thesecond embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Next, aninput control method using the electronic device 10 according to thesecond embodiment will be described. The electronic device 10 accordingto the present embodiment includes a position detector 100, an inputcontroller 110, a display controller 120, and a pressure detector 140.Since the position detector 100, the input controller 110, and thedisplay controller 120 are described above in the first embodiment, thepressure detector 140 will be described herein.

The operator touches his or her finger on a predetermined position ofthe touch screen 10 a and performs a press operation to perform an inputoperation. The pressure detector 140 detects a finger pressure appliedon the pressure sensor 150 provided directly beneath the touch screen 10a. The pressure detector is an example of a detector detecting anoperation in the input operation area of the touch screen.

2-2. OPERATION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Next, the input control method of the electronic device 10 according tothe second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and11. FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an input control processaccording to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a transition view of adisplay screen corresponding to an input control according to thepresent embodiment. If a particular operation other than the referenceinput operation (‘pattern b’) is performed in the input operation area,the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment determinesthe particular operation as being a selection operation of an inputcandidate displayed in the input candidate area and performs an inputcontrol accordingly.

(Input Control Process)

The input control process will be described with reference to FIG. 10.Initially, at step S1005, the input controller 110 determines whether ornot any operation occurs in the input operation area based on a pressuredetected by the pressure detector 140. If no operation is determined tooccur, the step S1005 is repeated. If any operation is determined tooccur, the input controller 110 determines at step S1010 whether or nota one-point press operation is performed in the input operation area. Ifa one-point press operation is determined to be performed, at stepS1015, the input controller 110 enters a key at the pressed position onthe touch screen 10 a. As shown in FIG. 11, when the key input isperformed with two fingers, the press operation is performed with anyone of the two fingers. Referring to the top of FIG. 11, the operator'sleft finger performs a one-point press operation in the input operationarea. In this case, a key ‘e’ at the pressed position is entered anddisplayed in the input display area. The above-mentioned operation isthe ‘pattern b’ of reference input operation (key input operation) inthe input operation area.

If a one-point press operation is determined to be not performed at thestep S1010, the input controller 110 determines at step S1020 whether ornot a two-or-more-point press operation (press-flick operation) isperformed in the input operation area. If it is determined that thetwo-or-more-point press operation is not performed, the process returnsto the step S1005 and restarts from the step S1005.

If a two-or-more-point press operation is determined to be performed atthe step S1020, it is considered that an input candidate is intended tobe selected and the process proceeds to step S1025 where the inputcontroller 110 highlights a leading input candidate to indicate that theleading input candidate is selected. Referring to the middle of FIG. 11,the operator performs the two-point press operation with fingers of hisor her both hands in the input operation area. In this case, the leadinginput candidate, ‘evening’, is highlighted in the input candidate areato indicate that the input candidate ‘evening’ is selected.

Next, at step S1030, it is determined whether or not the operatorperforms a consecutive press operation with his or her two fingers. If aconsecutive press operation is determined to be performed, at stepS1035, the input controller 110 releases the selection of the inputcandidate and terminates the highlight sign of the input candidate. Theprocess then returns to the step S1005 and restarts from the step S1005.

If a consecutive press operation is determined to be not performed, theinput controller 110 determines at step S1040 whether or not a one-pointpress operation is performed in the input operation area. If it isdetermined that a one-point press operation is not performed, theprocess returns to the step S1020 where it is determined whether or nota two-or-more-point press operation is performed in the input operationarea. If a two-or-more-point press operation is further performed, theprocess proceeds to the step S1025 where a next input candidate locatednext to the leading input candidate in the flick direction is selectedin input candidate area. Referring to the bottom of FIG. 11, since theoperator further performs a two-or-more-point press operation with hisor her finger in the input operation area, a next input candidate,‘every’, which is the second from the leading input candidate in theflick direction, is highlighted in the input candidate area to indicatethat the next input candidate ‘every’ is selected.

Next, if the consecutive press operation is determined to be notperformed at the step S1030 and the one-point press operation isdetermined to be performed at the step S1040, the input controller 110determines at step S1045 that the currently selected (highlighted) inputcandidate is expected to be input. In this case, the input controller110 inputs and displays the selected input candidate in the inputdisplay area. At step S1050, the input controller 110 inputs a charactercorresponding to a key at the pressed position according to theone-point press operation and displays the character in the inputdisplay area.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the consecutive pressoperation indicates an operation of successively pressing keys without abreak, like a double-click operation of a mouse. Hence, the consecutivepress operation is different from the two-or-more-point press operation.

As such, in the input control method according to the presentembodiment, if a two-point press operation is detected by the pressuredetector 140, it is determined that a particular operation is performed.In this case, a selection position of an input candidate displayed in anarea other than the input operation area is moved according to thetwo-point press operation. Accordingly, the operator may select adesired input candidate while placing his or her fingers in the inputoperation area where the operator can easily move his or her fingers. Asa result, like the first embodiment, it is possible to easily select aninput candidate without laying a burden on the operator performing aninput operation by providing an appropriate size of input operation areain the touch screen 10 a.

In the present embodiment, the selection of the input candidate isreleased when the consecutive press operation is performed at the stepS1030. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. Forexample, when a consecutive press operation is performed, it may bedetermined that it is intended to move in the opposite direction in alist of input candidates. In this case, an input candidate located inthe opposite direction in the list of input candidates may behighlighted.

The particular operation in the second embodiment may be atwo-or-more-point press operation or a two-or-more-point press-flickoperation. Accordingly, if a two-or-more-point press operation or atwo-or-more-point press-flick operation is determined to be performed,the particular operation is determined to be performed. In this case, aselection position of an input candidate may be moved according to thedirection of the particular operation, the frequency of the particularoperation, or the length of the particular operation.

2-3. MODIFIED EXAMPLE 2

(Input Control Process)

Modified example 2 of the second embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating aninput control process according to the modified example 2 of the secondembodiment. FIG. 13 is a transition view of a display screencorresponding to an input control according to the modified example 2 ofthe second embodiment.

The input control process of FIG. 12 is almost the same as the inputcontrol process according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9,except that FIG. 10 of the second embodiment includes the step S1030where the consecutive press operation is performed, while FIG. 12includes step S1205 where the selection of an input candidate isreleased when fingers of the operator's both hands are released from adisplay surface.

For example, when fingers of the operator's both hands are released asshown in the bottom of FIG. 13 while a two-point press operation isperformed with the fingers of the operator's both hands as shown in thetop of FIG. 13, it is determined that a selection of an input candidateis intended to be stopped. In this case, the highlight sign of the inputcandidate is released to stop the selection of the input candidate.

As such, in the input control method according to the modified example2, a particular operation in the input operation area is assigned to anoperation in the input candidate area. Accordingly, the operator mayselect a desired input candidate while placing his or her fingers in theinput operation area where the operator can easily move his or herfingers. As a result, it is possible to easily select an input candidatewithout laying a burden on the operator performing an input operation byproviding an appropriate size of input operation area in the touchscreen 10 a.

Third Embodiment 3-1. HARDWARE CONFIGURATION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Finally, an input control method using an electronic device 10 accordingto a third embodiment will be described. The function of the electronicdevice 10 according to the present embodiment is almost the same as thatof the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment shown inFIG. 4 and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted herein.The function of the electronic device 10 according to the presentembodiment may be the same as that of the electronic device 10 accordingto the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

3-2. OPERATION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

(Input Control Process)

If a particular operation other than the reference input operation(‘pattern c’) is performed in the input operation area, the electronicdevice 10 according to the present embodiment determines the particularoperation as being a selection operation of an input candidate displayedin the input candidate area and performs an input control accordingly.The input control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 14and 15. FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an input control processaccording to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a transition view of adisplay screen corresponding to an input control according to thepresent embodiment.

The input control process will be described with reference to FIG. 14.Initially, at step S1405, the input controller 110 determines whether ornot any operation is performed in the input operation area based on atouch position detected by the position detector 100. If no operation isdetermined to be performed in the input operation area, the step S1405is repeated. If any operation is determined to be performed in the inputoperation area, the input controller 110 determines at step S1410whether or not the operation in the input operation area is acombination of a tap operation and a button operation. If the operationis determined to be a combination of the tap operation and the buttonoperation, at step S1415, the input controller 110 inputs a key at thetouch position of the touch screen 10 a. Referring to FIG. 15, using thetouch pad 10 b in the input operation area, the operator performs a tapoperation with his or her index finger to move a cursor to a desired key‘e’ and clicks on a button 10 c with his or her thumb. As a result, acharacter ‘e’ is input and displayed in the input display area. Theabove-mentioned operation is the ‘pattern c’ of reference inputoperation (key input operation) in the input operation area.

If a combination of the tap operation and the button operation isdetermined to be not performed at step S1410, the input controller 110determines at step S1420 whether or not the operation in the inputoperation area is a combination of a flick operation and a buttonoperation. If a combination of the flick operation and the buttonoperation is determined to be not performed at the step S1420, theprocess returns to the step S1405 and restarts from the step S1405.

At step S1420, if a flick operation is performed with a finger otherthan the index finger moving the mouse cursor and a button operation isperformed with the thumb, it is considered that an input candidate isintended to be selected. In this case, the process proceeds to the stepS1425 where the input controller 110 highlights a leading inputcandidate to indicate that the leading input candidate is selected.

Next, at step S1430, it is determined whether or not a reverse-flickoperation is performed. If a reverse-flick operation is performed withthe operator's middle finger, the input controller 110 releases theselection of the input candidate at step S1435 to stop highlighting theinput candidate. The process then returns to the step S1405 and restartsfrom the step S1405.

If a reverse-flick operation is determined to be not performed, theinput controller 110 determines at step S1440 whether or not acombination of a tap operation and a button operation is performed inthe input operation area. If a combination of the tap operation and thebutton operation is determined to be not performed, the process returnsto the step S1420 where it is determined whether or not the operation inthe input operation area is a combination of a flick operation and abutton operation. If a combination of the flick operation and the buttonoperation is determined to be performed, the process proceeds to thestep S1425 where the input controller 110 highlights a next inputcandidate located next to the leading input candidate in the flickdirection to indicate that the next input candidate is selected.

Referring to FIG. 15, by performing the right-flick operation with theoperator's middle finger and performing the press operation of thebutton 10 c with the operator's thumb, the highlight sign of an inputcandidate in the input candidate area is moved in the right direction.

Next, if a flick operation is determined to be not performed at the stepS1430 and a combination of a tap operation and a button operation isdetermined to be performed at the step S1440, the input controller 110determines at step S1445 that the currently selected input candidate isintended to be input. In this case, the input controller 110 inputs theselected input candidate and displays the selected input candidate inthe input display area. Further, the input controller 110 inputs acharacter pointed by the cursor through the tap operation and displaysthe character in the input display area.

As such, in the input control method according to the presentembodiment, if an operation detected by the position detector 100 isdetermined as being a two-or-more-point operation including flickoperation, the detected operation is determined as being the particularoperation. In this case, a selection position of an input candidatedisplayed an area other than the input operation area is moved accordingto the flick operation. Accordingly, the operator may select a desiredinput candidate while placing his or her fingers in the input operationarea where the operator can easily move his or her fingers. As a result,it is possible to easily select an input candidate without laying aburden on the operator performing an input operation by providing anappropriate size of input operation area in the touch screen 10 a.

Further, if a combination of a left-flick operation and a buttonoperation is determined to be performed at the step S1420, the inputcontroller 110 may move a highlight sign to an earlier-numbered inputcandidate which is provided to the left in the input candidate area. Ifa left-flick operation is performed with a first input candidateselected, the input controller 110 may release the highlight sign of theinput candidate to stop the selection of the input candidate or may movethe highlight sign to the last input candidate among a list of inputcandidates. Display of a selection range of input candidates isautomatically changed so that input candidates prior to and subsequentto a highlighted input candidate may be displayed. The input controller110 may cancel the selection of the input candidate if the detectedoperation is determined as being a release operation of the operator'sfinger.

Further, by tapping a pad surface with a finger other than a fingermoving a mouse cursor or clicking on a button with two fingers placed onthe pad, it is possible to move the selection (highlight sign) of aninput candidate.

If a two-or-more-point operation including flick operation is performed,a particular operation is determined to be performed. In this case, aselection position of an input candidate may be moved according to thedirection of the flick operation, the frequency of the flick operation,or the length of the flick operation.

Also in this case, when it is determined that a selected input candidateis intended to be input while the operator clicks on a key with his orher finger, a highlighted input candidate is input and displayed in theinput display area and a character corresponding to a pressed key isinput and displayed in the input display area. Further, in all of theabove-described embodiments, as a method of moving a highlight sign backto a prior input candidate, a reverse-flick operation, a double-tapoperation, or a right-button click operation may be performed with afinger other than a finger moving a cursor.

Accordingly, in the input control method using the electronic device 10according to each of the embodiments, regardless of which of thepatterns a, b and c is employed, the operator may select an inputcandidate in an area other than the input operation area while placinghis or her fingers or a mouse cursor in the input operation area. Thismay lift a burden from the operator performing an input operation.

Further, when an input candidate provided in an area other than theinput operation area is selected by a tap operation, an unwanted wordmay be mistakenly input due to a tapping error. In this case, anadditional operation of entering a desired word may need to be performedafter eliminating the unwanted word. However, in the input controlmethod using the electronic device 10 according to each of theembodiments, a selected input candidate may be recognized and determinedby moving the highlight sign to a desired input candidate. Accordingly,it is possible to reduce the risk of making the mistake of selecting anunwanted input candidate.

Further, since both the input operation area and the input candidatearea need not to be provided in an area where the operator's fingers canbe easily moved, it is possible to make the input operation area aslarge as possible. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the risk ofmaking the mistake of inputting an unwanted key, thereby performing acorrect and fast input operation.

In general, when the operator performs a tap operation in the inputoperation area, a key at a detected touch position of the operator'sfinger is input. If a left-flick operation is performed in the sameinput operation area while such a key input operation is performed, aninput operation other than a typical key input may be performed. Forexample, if a left-flick operation is performed in the same inputoperation area during a tap operation, a backspace key may be executedas an input operation. Further, if a right-flick operation is performedin the same input operation area during a tap operation, an enter keymay be executed as an input operation.

In the first to third embodiments, the operations of each of theelements are correlated with each other. Accordingly, the operations maybe replaced as a series of operations and a series of processesconsidering the correlation thereof. In this case, the embodiment of theinformation processing apparatus may be implemented as an embodiment ofan input control method of the information processing apparatus and asan embodiment of a program configured to implement the functions of theinformation process apparatus on a computer.

Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are describedin detail with reference to the appended drawings, the presenttechnology is not limited thereto. It should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various modifications, combinations,sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on designrequirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

For example, the present technology may be applied to the operation ofan electronic device having a screen and an operation area which arelocated at a distant area, such as a remote control using a touch pad,as well as an electronic device having a touch panel, such as a mobilephone.

Furthermore, the input information used in the input operation accordingto the present disclosure includes numerals and symbols as well ascharacters, such as katakana, hiragana, Chinese characters, and Englishcharacters.

1. An apparatus for modifying an input area, the apparatus comprising: amemory; and a processor executing instructions stored in the memory to:display a first input area on a device; detect a user input in a secondinput area; perform, if the user input comprises a first operation, aninput function; and modify, if the user input comprises a secondoperation, the first input area.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first input area comprises objects.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein modifying the first input area comprises modifying one of theobjects.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein modifying one of theobjects comprises highlighting the object.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the objects represent words.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the second input area is located on the device.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the second input area is separated from the deviceand within a distance of the device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the second input area comprises objects.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the objects represent characters.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the first operation comprises an operating membertouching one of the objects.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinperforming the input function comprises displaying an image in a thirdinput area, the image corresponding to the object touched by the member.12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second operation comprises anoperating member in moving contact with the second input area.
 13. Amethod for modifying an input area, comprising: displaying a first inputarea; detecting a user input in a second input area; performing, if theuser input comprises a first operation, an input function; andmodifying, if the user input comprises a second operation, the firstinput area.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first input areacomprises objects.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein modifying thefirst input area comprises modifying one of the objects.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein modifying one of the objects comprises highlightingthe object.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storinginstructions which, when executed by a computer, perform a method ofmodifying an input area, the method comprising: displaying a first inputarea; detecting a user input in a second input area; performing, if theuser input comprises a first operation, an input function; andmodifying, if the user input comprises a second operation, the firstinput area.
 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein thefirst input area comprises objects.
 19. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 18, wherein modifying the first input area comprises modifying oneof the objects.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, whereinmodifying one of the objects comprises highlighting the object.